Erat out, Rinne in and a quick skate update

It will probably be one more game until Martin Erat makes his return to the Predators’ lineup. Nashville’s co-leading scorer from a year ago will not play tonight against the Lightning at Bridgestone Arena, according to Coach Barry Trotz.

“We’re hoping Saturday (against Anaheim), but he’s getting close and that’s a good sign,” Trotz said. “It’s really up to Marty. When he feels he’s ready he just has to come to me and say, ‘hey, I’m ready to go’ and he’ll be in the lineup.”

In terms of other lineup news, Trotz said goaltender Pekka Rinne would start tonight against the Lightning: “Peks is the guy who wants to get us out of this. He’s one of the solid reasons why we’re 3-4-1 and not 0-7-1 or something like that.”

Also, Jack Hillen and Niclas Bergfors came off the ice early from this morning’s optional skate. Brian McGrattan and Teemu Laakso were the last two players off. Speculate away…